Effective programs have become an essential part of both Adult and Juvenile Corrections institutions. While incarcerated, provision of programs relating to educational opportunities, physical, social and mental health stability, maintenance of family relationships, and religious freedom and practice are some areas by which the quality of offender life in a correctional institution can be measured.

The Shawnee County Department of Corrections has embarked on meeting these needs with respective programs departments at the Adult and Juvenile Detention Centers.
Regular programs conducted at the Juvenile Detention Center are:

Weekly reading exercises provided by the Optimist Club of Topeka

Character Building

Positive Action

Risks and Decisions

Church Services

Weekly social skills/life skills presentations by the Programs Officer

Teachers from 501 School District classroom educational curriculum instructions Monday through Friday

Daily exercise opportunities at the facility gymnasium

Monthly barber services

Commissary

Save Your Self facilitated by Women Empowerment Inc.

Regular programs held at the Adult Detention Center are:

Alcoholics Anonymous Groups

Bible Study Classes

Chaplain Services

Church Services

Commissary

Community Resource Information

Greeting Card Program

Library Services

Law Library

Minister and Clergy Visits

Narcotics Anonymous

Project Dads

Visitation with Family and Friends

Work Programs

Barber Shop

Inmate Wedding Services

Exercise opportunities at the facility gymnasium

The programs offered are provided through the use of community volunteers.

If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, for existing or proposed programs at the Adult Detention Center or the Juvenile Detention Center, please complete the Volunteer Application and Criminal History Authorization form and send the completed forms along with a copy of your valid driver's license to: